AFL.com.au draft analyst Callum Twomey looks at who he thinks every club will be targeting with their first pick in the 2018 NAB AFL National Draft.
All focus is now on the NAB AFL Draft after the close of the Trade Period. So who will your club be targeting?
At AFL.com.au we have cast our eye over each club's opening pick at next month's national draft and predicted who could be in their sights for that selection, plus some other names who may be considered.
Of course this is how picks are set for now. Clubs are able to trade draft picks until November 16, and then again during the draft on November 22-23.
Pick 14: Ian Hill remains one of the most talented players in the pool after a difficult season with his season cut short by shoulder surgery. Fremantle will likely look at him if he gets through to their selection. The local prospect is lightning quick, can carry the ball from end to end, and has the skill to match his cheeky play. He is the cousin of Dockers pair Stephen and Bradley Hill.
Around the mark: Liam Stocker, Chayce Jones, Jordan Clark
Pick 8: Should they keep their picks and start their night at No.8, the Crows could find themselves hoping one of the accomplished top group gets through. But they're still in a nice spot if they don't. Jordan Clark, a free-wheeling, smart, creative and classy half-back from Western Australia, has pushed himself into top-10 calculations through an excellent season and should be on the radar.
Around the mark: Jye Caldwell, Connor Rozee, Bailey Smith
Pick 18: If the Lions could nab Chayce Jones with their first pick at the draft it would be the icing on top of their deal that landed them Lachie Neale. Jones is a worker: he powers through games in the midfield but will likely start as a smaller forward or back. Has good skills, is tough and was the best performed player at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
Around the mark: Zak Butters, Liam Stocker, Jackson Hately
Pick 1: The leading contender to be the Blues' fifth No.1 pick since 2002 is Geelong Falcons midfielder Sam Walsh. Walsh had a superb season, dominating at every level he played. He averaged 32 disposals in the TAC Cup and has proven his running ability and capacity to find the ball. Shapes as a long-term player and leader.
Around the mark: Izak Rankine, Max King, Jack Lukosius
Pick 41: A bid for Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Quaynor is expected to fall inside the first 15 on draft night, at which point the Magpies would have enough points to match it and make the rebounding defender their own. The club could be stretched for points to claim Quaynor and father-son Will Kelly (tipped to be a second-rounder) if a bid comes before pick No.10, although that is considered unlikely.
Around the mark: -
Pick 34: The Bombers addressed their need for a contested ball-winner by winning the race for Dylan Shiel, but they could still do with more depth in that area. Ely Smith would be a good choice at their pick. He's big (188cm), strong and powerful, and showed his explosive streak at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. A ball-winner with size.
Around the mark: Luke Valente, Xavier O'Halloran, Ned McHenry
Pick 12: Jackson Hately's form at senior level this year, as well as in the reserves at Central District, outlined his ability as a big midfielder. He is versatile and averaged 18 touches a game at senior SANFL level. He was named an All Australian forward after an impressive under-18 carnival.
Around the mark: Jordan Clark, Jye Caldwell, Ian Hill
Pick 2: The Suns have lost two key position players through the trade and free agency period, but could replace one of them by taking Jack Lukosius. The South Australian key forward has performed at senior SANFL level over two years, is hard-working, very athletic and a beautiful kick for goal.
Around the mark: Izak Rankine, Max King, Sam Walsh, Connor Rozee
Pick 9: It was Riley Collier-Dawkins' finals series for the Oakleigh Chargers which reminded recruiters of his qualities as a tall, strong-bodied midfielder who can feed it out to his teammates. The Giants could be looking to bolster that area given they lost three midfielders in the trade period.
Around the mark: Zak Butters, Jordan Clark, Jackson Hately
Pick 53: At the start of the season Bailey Williams was touted as a possible top-10 choice. But the key forward's season was inconsistent, and although he finished well for the Dandenong Stingrays in their TAC Cup Grand Final win, he's dropped down the order. He plays best as a key forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck, and if he got to Hawthorn's first pick they'd have to have a think about adding to their tall stocks.
Around the mark: Jacob Kennerley, Irving Mosquito, Will Golds
Pick 23: Sam Sturt burst onto the scene late in the year with some exciting showings for the Dandenong Stingrays, but clubs had been tracking his progress for some time. The half-forward is quick, agile and smart with the ball, and uses it sharply around goal. He is a natural player who clubs view as having plenty of upside.
Around the mark: Curtis Taylor, Ian Hill, Ned McHenry
Pick 42: The Roos have first call on Next Generation Academy prospect Tarryn Thomas. It was partly why they were happy to offload their first selection to land Port runner Jared Polec during the Trade Period, and they have banked extra draft points thanks to a last-day trade with Fremantle. A bid for Thomas seems most likely in the second half of the first round, where North is expected to match it.
Around the mark: -
Pick 5: All the talk will be on the local prospects, but versatile Victorian key position player Ben King would be a nice addition to their list. King was named best afield against North Melbourne's VFL side earlier this year as a centre-half back but then switched forward, when he was an All Australian after a strong championships for Vic Metro.
Around the mark: Connor Rozee, Izak Rankine, Max King
Pick 17: Richmond has lost depth in its midfield stocks but could bring in a prospect who appears ready to go in Liam Stocker. The tough, dig-in, hands-on midfielder won the Morrish Medal at TAC Cup level this season and he's a good kick on both feet. He has the build and frame to be playing AFL next year.
Around the mark: Riley Collier-Dawkins, Chayce Jones, Luke Valente
Pick 4: Max King has been doing his rehabilitation program twice a day at St Kilda since undergoing a knee reconstruction early in the season. The athletic and damaging key forward is brilliant in the air, adept and agile at ground level and a match-winner. If not for the injury he would have been discussed much more regularly in the No.1 pick conversation.
Around the mark: Bailey Smith, Izak Rankine, Connor Rozee
Pick 26: The Swans moved their pick 13 for two second-round picks in the draft to accrue more points to pay for highly rated Academy prospect Nick Blakey. They expect a bid to fall somewhere between pick No.5 and 12 for the classy forward, and they'll use their later picks to move up the board and match it. Blakey can also play in the midfield but has missed a large portion of this year with an ankle injury.
Around the mark: -
Pick 20: The Eagles don't want for much after their premiership season, but could be searching for a replacement for medium forward Mark LeCras. Curtis Taylor might appeal as that player. Taylor is a finisher: he has nice skills, he reads the game well, is deft by foot and is crafty around goal.
Around the mark: Ian Hill, Sam Sturt, Riley Collier-Dawkins
Pick 7: Connor Rozee's brilliant form late in the season for North Adelaide at senior level saw him surge back up the draft order after a middling under-18 championships for South Australia. He can play in all three areas of the ground and excites with his mark and speed. He would add a unique element to the Dogs' forward half if still on the board at their pick.
Around the mark: Bailey Smith, Jye Caldwell, Jordan Clark
